We part at Death (A Novelette)

9. Trust me

Days have passed since my mental breakdown before my servants. They seemed skittish around me and heavily against me going to the palace. Anna spoke her mind multiple times on how she wanted me to go home and to refuse the emperor, but I had to tell her that I was far too deep in this now.

A sigh escaped my lips as I placed the catalog back down onto the table. Across from me sat a wedding planner who fiddled around nervously.

"Is it not to your liking, your highness?" He hesitantly asked.

I looked up at him through my eyelashes and stared for a solid minute.

"Please refrain from calling me your highness." I spoke through my teeth.

A woman cleared her throat loudly behind me. I glanced back at her as she glared down at me. The woman was put here to keep me in place and to teach me what it was like to be a royal, but it seemed no matter what I did, nothing was ever good enough in her eyes. Her name was Madam Elia Ernst.

A knock came from the door, pulling everyone from my mistake. Madam Earnst walked towards the door and opened it. On the other side of the door stood my newly appointed aid.

"Your Highness, Duke Foxfield is here to see you." He bowed his head.

What could Victor be here for? I stood from my place on the sofa and called for him to enter. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He hadn't changed at all since the last time I laid eyes on him. Madam Earnst surprisingly ushered the wedding planner out of the room and closed the door behind her.

"How are you Victoria?" Victoria asked.

Tears burned in my eyes as I tried so hard to hold myself together before him. I lowered my head to hide the tears from him. He didn't need to know that I was struggling.

"I am doing well, how about you?" After a few seconds of composing myself I lifted my head up to look at him.

He nodded his head and gestured for me to take a seat. I happily obliged as he sat down across from me.

"I heard you had a cross with Earl Darnes."

"How have you heard that?" I stared at him in shock.

"Earl Darnes came to my home to complain about it." He rolled his eyes, "He knew you wouldn't hold your tongue against injustice."

I nodded my head. Victor was right, Earl Darnes should have known I would not have bitten and held my tongue against injustice. That bastard, was he trying to set me up?

"Did he say anything else?" I inquired.

Victor leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. He looked off to the side of the room before he turned back to look at me.

"He went on about the people of the fallen kingdom and how they should be exterminated."

"That bastard!" I exclaimed and nearly flew out of my seat.

"Calm Victoria." Victoria motioned for me to stay seated. I followed his request and stared at him intensely.

"What will you do if you are required to kill them?" I questioned.

Truthfully I was unsure if I truly wanted to know the answer to the question. It should be obvious that as a Duke, Victor would have to follow the orders of his majesty to take care of them. Victor looked down at his lap and half chuckled and half let out a sigh of despair.

"I have to follow orders if they are given, Victoria."

"What if the orders were to be changed?"

He looked up at me in confusion. His eyes searched mine as I stared at him seriously.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You will know in due time." I smiled sadly at him.

"Victoria" He warned.

"Trust me." I leaned forward and placed my hand on his leg.

He stared at me in question. I could tell he was wondering what he was up to, but I could not tell him now.

"Will you and your men protect me if I need it?" I spoke suddenly.

He titled his head at me and searched my face for answers that were not going to be given. Victor suddenly grabbed my hand and clasped it in both of his. His gloved hands were warm against mine. My heart sped up just at the slightest touch of him.

"I will always protect you Victoria." He uttered out after what seemed like a long time, "I do not know what you are up to, but you cannot change his majesty's mind if that is what you are planning."

He let go of my hand and I sat back up away from him. I smiled at him. He was always on my side even when we were kids.

"I am thankful that you are always on my side Victor." I looked down and nodded my head in happiness.

"I will always be on your side Victoria, I still lov-" He cut himself off before he finished his words, but I knew what he was going to say. I too still loved him very much and I was always going to love him as well.

A loud knock came from the door of the parlor. Our heads turned to look at the door as suddenly realization dawned on both of us. Victor cleared his throat and stood from the sofa across from me.

"It's time for me to leave."

I smiled sadly and stood up. I followed Victor towards the door to bid him farewell. He grasped the handle of the door and began to turn it. He paused suddenly and turned back to look at me. His eyes were serious as he stared at me.

"Call for me if you ever need my help."

I smiled sadly and nodded my head at him, "I will." I whispered.

With those final words of goodbye, Victor opened the parlor door and made his leave. On the other side of the door stood Madam Earnst who glared at me with distaste. I eyed her back as she made her way back into the parlor.

"I do not know what you and Duke Foxfield spoke of, but do refrain from being alone with men." She scolded, "The dressmaker is now here to fit you." She continued to not give me room to speak.

I glared up at her through my eyelashes. This bitch was going to learn something soon.

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Hello!

I would like to apologize on how the story jumps around from past tense and present tense. It is something I do struggle with, but plan to get better at. I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter!

Thank you so much for reading!

Rae Marchand

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